Video above is from the BBC.
In the early 20th century, European shepherds settled in Argentina and wiped out pumas and other predators to protect their sheep. Once the pumas went extinct in the area, the Magellanic penguins on nearby islands naturally multiplied like crazy. After Monte León National Park was established in '04 and things stabilized, the pumas started showing up again.
Researchers put GPS trackers on the pumas in the park and found they've basically evolved into full-time penguin specialists. Since there are so many penguins, their territory has shrunk significantly. Their hunting grounds are tiny compared to normal pumas, and they live in super high-density populations relative to the area.
Seems similar to the Namibian desert lions that became the first 'sea lions' by hunting seals on the beach.
It feels so exotic and trippy to see predators you'd expect in the grasslands or jungle hanging out by the sea. It's fascinating.
"Netizens are amazed by the pumas playing 'life on easy mode' by snacking on high-calorie penguins like they're catching chickens in a backyard."
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